You have my attention. My advisor wrote a book that sums up how I think about nineteenth century US political economy pretty well: a transition from freedom meaning the option to escape from the forces of markets into a society where freedom meant the ability to participate in markets. Without wishing to turn this into the CE thread (God forbid), I think we're in a moment where that formulation might still apply.

I'm not sure I would equate the old political economy as the option to escape from market forces. Perhaps you can elaborate on that. I mean, even though self sustainment and self mastery were large components of liberal thought at the time, I don't think total economic isolation was ever the ideal.

I do agree that later freedom evolved into the idea that you were free to participate in markets, though. It's also interesting to note that some early capitalist thinkers believed that this freedom didn't just mean the ability to participate in markets, but also to redefine freedom as an internal psychological system of values rather than an external one.

I do agree that later freedom evolved into the idea that you were free to participate in markets, though. It's also interesting to note that some early capitalist thinkers believed that this freedom didn't just mean the ability to participate in markets, but also to redefine freedom as an internal psychological system of values rather than an external one.

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose.

Regarding whether dictators, commies, capitalist robber barons, or Western political leaders dress better, I figure they all have access to the best tailors, though it holds the interest of some more than others.

The problem is another; the American politics as a whole is in a state of decomposition; the folks also manage to vote exactly for things they try to avoid.
Europe is infested with "good doers" or modern Robin Hoods, stealing to buy their next elections.

What country has a 70% tax rate? And giving to specific politicians =\ the state.

In the European Union you have to pay contributions and taxes from the pay you get.

Taking a specific state as an example requires detailed explanations on how the tax system works and about the political scene; that would fill two A4 pages to cover the basics and I don't feel like typing that much :)) especially not on a clothes fashion forum.

Still, you can look at Slovenia (Trump's wife is from there); the young are leaving the state in droves (towards Austria, Germany, Australia,...)

tax % monthly pay in €

16 % till 668,44 €

27 % above 668,44€

41 % above 1.580,02€

50 % above 5.908,93€

So, if you earn more than 1.580€, you pay 41% tax (+25% "contributions"; few percents more are payed by your employer so the whole amount is around 72%).

The living costs are quite high, like 1.3€/L for gasoline ( 5,5$ for 1 liquid US gallon).

In the European Union you have to pay contributions and taxes from the pay you get.
Taking a specific state as an example requires detailed explanations on how the tax system works and about the political scene; that would fill two A4 pages to cover the basics and I don't feel like typing that much ) especially not on a clothes fashion forum.
Still, you can look at Slovenia (Trump's wife is from there); the young are leaving the state in droves (towards Austria, Germany, Australia,...)
tax % monthly pay in €
16 % till 668,44 €
27 % above 668,44€
41 % above 1.580,02€
50 % above 5.908,93€

So, if you earn more than 1.580€, you pay 41% tax (+25% "contributions"; few percents more are payed by your employer so the whole amount is around 72%).
The living costs are quite high, like 1.3€/L for gasoline ( 5,5$ for 1 liquid US gallon).

Well, you got to pay for all that beauty. If you're in North Italy... so, Adriatic Sea to the South, Dolomiti to the North...